[Knirin Gardens]A walk in the park[Rye]

[Rykanis Dakshata]

82 Winter 511 Rykanis listened, as in the distance he could hear the crashing of water. There was a waterfall, after all, pretty close to were he was. It was a bit nippy out, as it was winter, but certainly not as cold as it got up north. However his view seemed rather placid, looking at the small lake that was formed, before going over the falls. A scene of serene beauty, hiding death so close and secretly within... Rykanis smiled, thinking of the fact that even the land here held secrets, hiding its true nature under its appearance. Rykanis laid off a bit to the side, reclining in the grass, and in the shade. It was nice, having a quiet break. And since he had a bit of time to spare as the sun was setting, why not relax a bit? He closed his eyes, soaking in the solitude, just resting, loving that time of the day when the shadows were long, and light was meeting darkness.

[Rhy]

On the other side of the park, Rhy is destroying the sleeping gardens and ripping up handfuls of grass. She is partially shadowed by an overhanging bush and skeletal tree since she is pretty sure this is illegal, not that anybody has specifically told her so. The tuffs of grass are divulged of the moisture that hangs over the garden with a flick of her wrist and is transferred to the inside of her shirt with a rapid efficiency.

At 6 months old Rhy looks to be well approaching 10 or 11 human years. But the baby fat has long been stripped from her cheeks and arms, leaving her lean and full of right angles. Particularly useful since her sharp elbows are about the same hight of an Aklak groin...

A large white cotton shirt is hiked up and tied around her narrow hips, leaving a nice baggy interior to store the grass. The nights have been getting colder and colder now that it's the dead of winter. And she is acutely aware that while dog fur is adequate in most seasons, the hard-won weight she managed to gain in the fall months has been slowly disappearing, and she will soon need something more then bones to keep her warm. The well tended grass is still green and thick, although trimmed annoyingly short, and serves as a good insulator. And curled up in a corner with her knees tucked inside the shirt it might also make a good sleeping bag.

The human smell of skin, spice and soap drifts her way and she perks up, a tuff of grass left dripping and forgotten in her grip. She peeks around the bush and spies the tip of a pair of boots sticking out from under a low-hanging tree.

What kind of idiot sleeps in a mist-drenched garden in the middle of winter?

She quickly scans the garden and sniffs at the air.

And he's alone.

Part of her wanted to curl up next to him and keep him warm. Maybe he would even pet her. But the other part was looking at the bulge in his pocket and wondering how much a stew at one of the inns would cost. She licks her chapped lips nervously and rubs at the re-emerging bulged of her spine between her shoulders. Eventually hunger won out and she unties her shirt (the grass would be too noisy) and briefly considers stripping naked. She could do a quicker getaway as a dog, but since these are the only clothes she has she is loathed to leave them behind. With an inward sigh she hikes the shirt up higher and ties it around her waist and rolls the sleeves up to her elbows. Gooseflesh immediately spring up on her exposed arms.

She pads across the garden on the balls of her feet (a useless precaution with the sound of the waterfall so close) in a wide arc so she comes up behind him. Once she sees that his skin was a deep violet and smooth her heart sinks. Aklak's are big, strong and pretty fast. Not exactly an easy mark. Her hands are sure and gentle as she pulls back the fold of his cloak inch by inch until his trousers are exposed. Her eyes flick from her work to his face, ready to bolt if his eyelids so much as flutter. His breathing is too heavy to be asleep, he is either meditating or in some deep relaxation. She keeps her own breath as close to non-existence as she can get it, he won't hear it but he would defiantly feel something if she was carless enough to breath in his face. Next she manoeuvres her hand at an odd angle so that she can reach into his pocket from the top and not from the side.

Worth the risk?

Her mind works to one concrete decision.

Yes.

And with that she very carefully tries placing her hand on the lip on his pocket.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Of course, Rykanis position, that of laying in the shadows, was not for no reason. He had been coming to that same shadow for over a season, lying in it, talking to it, holding conversations. Of course these were mostly one sided, this particular shadow seemed rather reserved, and did not often talk to him. But on occasion it did. Little did he know that this would be another occasion. It started off with a chuckle. No one else would be able to hear it, unless they also knew the language of Makath... So it was obviously for him... But why did this shadow think something was funny. A quick discussion ensued, with only one side being audible to most, that of Rykanis' speech, though even that would be unintelligible. "What is so funny? Oh, nothing... No really, what did you see? Ah, I should not say, you will learn it on your own soon enough. Oh come on, tell me please..." After another chuckle, from the shadow, it continued. "Well, lets just say your pockets will soon be a bit lighter..." Wondering what in the world this could mean, Rykanis eyes burst open. He could see quite well in this shaded area, and as he opened his eyes, he found a person standing over him, there hand close to his pocket. As she was almost to it, just inches away, he darted his hand out, trying to grab at her hand. Of course if he managed to grab her hand, he would not let go, and would hold her there. If she managed to evade his grasp, he would get up, and probably go after her. Regardless, her attempt at theft would be foiled, and he would speak to her, a bit perturbed. "Hey? What is the big idea, trying to get into my pocket without permission..."

[Rhy]

Rhy's fantasy of prancing into the sunset with a fist full of coins dissolves with the pressure of the Aklaks grip on her wrist. The price of theft in Riverfall might mean a trip to the Gideon arena. Outcomes of such a spectacle parade through her head in increasingly horrible ways. Her imagination filling in the gaps in her knowledge with highly unlikely and some frankly impossible ways she might be punished. A fight to the death? Be made into a Nakivak? Lifelong servitude? So when he asks a question her mind bucks up and screams: LIE!

"Ah, I-I just saw a beetle on you. I w-wanted to catch it."

She smiles in what she assumes is a sweet way, even as sweat sparkles on her forehead despite the cold weather. Her leather britches all at once seem entirely too tight, and the sleeves on her shirt are hanging heavy off her arms, and all she wants to do is run away in nothing but fur and four legs. He sounded annoyed, but she can't even get a sense of how he would react to anything she did. He struck her as complicated, dark and very, very big. And in no way an idiot. Coupled with her horrible lying skills the likelihood of talking her way out of this is grim. She decides at ask an honest question instead.

"Does that mean, if I ask permission, I can have whats in your pockets?"

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis smiled at the girl, at her obvious attempt at lying. usually your voice could give it away to the most untrained in lying, and surely stuttering was a sure sign of trying to make up a lie on the fly. Rykanis himself did not often lie, if anything he withheld facts. But outright lying... He tried his best to keep from it, if it was possible, as that was what was most likely to get you caught. Rykanis looked up at her, into her eyes, a smile on his face. "Funny... I don't recall seeing any beetles... Especially when it is this cold out..." He continued smiling, trying to put her at ease, listening to her second question. It was a bit funny, he thought, as he did not have that much in his pocket. He kept his coins mostly tucked away, hidden in his pack or at home, were it would take a bit to get them out, and it was not so easy to get to them. In his pocket all that he had was a few copper pieces, change from some transaction. "Perhaps if you ask, you could... But you tried to take, which is not very nice... Maybe if you apologized..." Rykanis looked up at her, his face obviously not one of anger, but more of teasing. If she did in fact apologize for trying to steal from him, and then asked to get into his pocket, he would let her. Though all that she would find would be 3 cm. Regardless of what she did, he would look up at her, inspecting her. She seemed rather small and skinny, with little "meat on her bones," as some might say. Which just made her clothes seem all the more over-sized on her frame. He would pat the ground next to him, and gesture for her. "Why don't you join me? Are you cold?" As he just noticed the fact that small as she was... Surely the cold was affecting her much more.

[Rhy]

Rhy looks him over dubiously. But she can't hold the expression for long since she has already decided that he's ok. Calling on a childish sense of intuition that demands that anyone who smiles is a friend, or will be soon. Ignoring the ground beside him in favour of something more comfortable she steps lightly between his legs and settles down with her head resting against his chest. Displaying a bold lack of personal space.

"Im sorry about the pick-pocketing. I was a bad girl and I should have left you alone."

Her tone was humble, and she meant it. Now that the the delusion of hot stew was pushed firmly out of the picture, her more traditional Kelvic nature was creeping in. The nature that wanted nothing more then to be useful, subservient and wanted. She unties the baggy shirt and rolls down the arms to cover herself as much as she can. But the heat generated by the Aklak was so comfortable that she could barely feel the breeze lifted off the lakes surface anyway.

"Whats your name? My names Rhy, like the bread, but I think its spelt different."

She brings her hand to her mouth and gnaws absently on the knuckle, a habit when she is deep in thought.

"And what were you doing lying in the shade in a deserted park in winter? They say thats how you catch cold. Im not really sure what that means, but it sounds bad. I bet the cold gets in your bones and you shiver to death."

She looks up at him to make sure he's following her perspective thought just as a loud rumbling rises from her belly. Oh well, she's comfortable. She can hunt for something later. She considers asking if he will pet the sore spot between her shoulders, but an inkling of perceived politeness hits her like a sock full of people skills and she stays quiet.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis sat for a moment, and was a bit surprised as the girl simply sat in his lap. She was a bit old for that, but she still seemed pretty young... Or maybe she was just using him as a seat, to keep off of the cold wet ground? And as she did sit, her lightness really was noticed. She seemed to be skin and bone, barely any weight to her. Though it was a bit hard to tell, since being a big tall heavy akalak like he was, it took a decent bit of weight to be heavy for him. As she apologized for what she had done, Rykanis looked down at her, smiling once more, and ruffled her hair a bit, as he might to a small child. "That's alright... Just don't let me catch you stealing from someone again... If you are being caught, you are not doing it right are you? But it will be out little secret..." Rykanis said this, with some humor in his face, but seeming more or less to say it being serious. But it was hard to tell if he was joking, or about what part... Surely he was not implying that it was okay to steal, as long as you were not caught? That would be quite naughty of him to be saying... And that last part about keeping it a secret... He was not even looking at her when he said it, and seemed to almost be whispering it... Like he was saying it in confidence, to someone else. Though it was quite a secret to hold, one that most would not. And it in fact could be held over her head, told whenever it was to his advantage. He could demand compensation for her trying to rob him, to have to fight over it. And she looked so frail and weak, she most likely could not best him in a battle... Though unknown to her, he loved keeping secrets, and was very unlikely to reveal it to anyone else. Not when he could keep it for himself. Inwardly, his other side was reveling in the new secret, and storing it away to remember. "Hello Rye... I am Rykanis... Isn't that funny? Our names are quite alike. Mine is like a longer version of yours." She did seem to be full of questions. And luckily he was full of half answers. Not outright truths, which would reveal to much, and not lies, which could be proven false... But half trues... Only telling part of the story, but true in what was revealed. "I was just enjoying nature... There are many things here that I cant experience elsewhere... And it is nice to be alone for a bit, just enjoy the shade." He was about to go on, when he heard her belly rumble quite loudly. She sounded like she could do with some food. He looked over at her, giving her a smile. "Are you a bit hungry? Would you like to go get a bite? We can get something to eat, and you can tell me your story. I am interested in hearing it."

[Rhy]

"Are you a liar?"

The question is blunt but without any sort of malice. On the contrary she looked merely curious. She gets the feeling he might be holding something back, but the term 'half-truth' was not something she is deceptive enough to have use for, or know intimately. Instinct or not, she likes this man, and she is determined to befriend him.
When he brings up the subject of food she nods enthusiastically and vaults to her feet with the heels of her hands.

"A bite would be fantastic! But we will have to make a stop on the way, I left my coins in a safe place and I'll need to fetch them."

At a meagre 3gm and 10sm it isn't much in terms of savings. But she is not the least bit frugal and would be happy to reap a chunk of her money if it meant hot food and a chat with the Aklak. So she tows him along, always a few paces ahead as she skirts around the skeletal trees and gardens, and crosses a stretch of walkway to the Almond Blossom. Dark hair and copper skin disappear into the the twin shadows between the Menagerie and the tea house. At this point she stops him with a hand on his stomach.

"I'll be right back. Stay here, ok?"

She smiles, turns, and flits away with more grace then her seemingly 10 year old body is capable of. An old trait most Kelvic share. She stays with the curve of the zoo until she is sure she is out of sight, then heads across the cobble street between the zoo and the Council building.
Two such central buildings of course keep immaculate gardens and lawns, even in winter, and Rhy has no problem finding the close cropped shrubs she uses as a visual marker.

She steps around the full green hedge so that she is out of sight of the path, and pulls off her shirt while she's still walking, and then her britches. By the time she reaches the right angle where the raised glass dome of the Meringue meets one of its outlying buildings, she has become a large black bitch and left her clothes in a bundle behind her. The patch of earth in the corner has not been disturbed in a while, since she has very little use to go through her old belongings, and the spot is covered in a sparse dusting of grass boldly trying to take over its land.

She digs down the earth alongside the rocky foundation over this spot until she hits the leather of her pack. She then pulls it out with her teeth, noses open the flap, and paws out five of silver Mizas. Deed done, she pats the pack safely down the hole and shifts the loose dirt overtop. And she takes an extra chime to make sure the top is smooth, then she turns and steps from dog to human form seemingly without breaking stride.
Scooping up the Mizas she dropped in transition and stuffing her skinny body back into clothes takes no time at all, and she is jogging around the corner and back to the Aklak waiting in the shadows is what seems like no time at all.

"Done. I guess I don't need your coins if I have my own, eh?"

She shakes her fist at her side so that the light sound of coin on coin could be heard, as if this is proof of her wealth, and smiles impishly. Then she moves to his side and pulls him out of the shadows by the wrist until they are on the road.

She might not frequent restaurants and taverns often as a paying customer, but she knows which ones are where, and she looks up at him so he could make a decision as to where their new location should be before she prances off.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis simply smiled, as Rye asked him of his honesty. Was he a liar? Was he? "That is ironic, you asking me if I am a liar, after you proving you are a thief... Some would say that makes you a liar... But no, I am not a liar. Nothing I have said is not true. I prefer not to lie really, to much trouble to discern what you have said. But I also don't just freely tell all." Rykanis leaned a bit closer before finishing, "I am a bit harder to understand than that." Soon enough, Rye jumped up at the mention of food. It was clear the proposition excited her. She gripped him by the hand, tugging him after her, eager to go wherever she was leading him to. He would go along, maybe he would learn something from it? As she stopped him, and told him to stay while she left, he noted there position. He tried to recall it as best he could, so if he had to he could return on his own. He had an inkling that there was a secret here, one which Rye did not want him to know. Which only made him want to know all the more. So Rykanis happily returned her smile, as she raced off. His other side urged him to creep after, to see what she was hiding... Surely it would be good to know... But no, he convinced him, there was a chance to learn more by staying on her good side, and talking to her. Soon enough she returned, in only a few chimes. Though Rykanis did notice that she seemed a bit dirtier than before, especially her hands being the most dirty... Has she been playing in the dirt? Then she once more came to him, taking him by the wrist, and pulling him back to the road. Then she stopped, looking up at him, clearly waiting for him to say something. He had already mentioned food... So surely she wanted him to pick the spot? "How about Kulkukan? It is across town, over the waterfall, but it is a nice place to get a meal and a drink. We could talk there." If Rye agreed, he would happily walk along with her there, soon enough entering, and seeing the familiar mood setting red lanterns within lighting it.

[Rhy]

When Rhy and Rykanis do manage to make it to Kulkukan, the shadows have merged into one flat blanket of night over the city. They are greeted by the unique lanterns of the tavern shinning through windows and doors, making the ever-present mist dance and shimmer with a heart warming red.
Light is not the only thing rolling from the establishment. A bubbling and dilating concerto of noise is spilling into the night. Thanks to dozens of workers and travellers looking for a few glasses of the finest before stumbling home to bed. The tavern is noisy, crowded and comfortable; in other words, perfect.

Instead of letting the much bigger Akalak go first, Rhy pushes her way between tables and patrons herself. And she is rewarded for her efforts by securing a table in a misty corner. It might not be very close to the hearth, mind you, but at least it's private. Or private as it can be in this rush. She sits herself down on the side facing the door and the other customers. If anybody wondered why an Akalak was keeping company with a skinny ten-year-old girl nobody showed it. Or nobody bothered to wonder in the first place, since they were all intent on their own company, their own food, or their own drink.

"Well," She mumbled while she settled in her chair. The red lighting was having on odd effect on her friends purple skin, and she found herself staring at his new mysterious and devilish facade. His face transforming from handsome to wicked as the light highlighted his already chiselled features.

"You wanted to hear a story, right? My story?" She clears her throat and growls in a serious, graven voice "Once apon a time..." And laughs into the crook of her arm.

"Sorry, couldn't help myself." She clears her throat again. "Im from Endrykas, originally. Its a beautiful city, if you could call it a city. Lots of colour."

She seems to lose her train of thought momentarily, remembering the place she was born, but quickly moves on.

"But I didn't stay there long. My mothers companion, my father, was exiled and forced to move across the sea of grass. My mother and I went with him of course. He died a few weeks later, my mother a week or two after that. I don't really remember when. Then I'm suddenly in the luxurious city of Riverfall. Water everywhere. I didn't even learn to swim until a sailor kicked me off the dock. Accident of course. Well, maybe. But anyway, you have it good here, that for sure."

Her attention is suddenly quite fascinated by his hands. And she kneels on her chair and leans over the table, planting her elbows on the scrubbed wood and taking one of his hands in her own. Thick and wild black hair tumbles over her shoulder and she pushes it back absently.

"What about you? Are you a warrior type like the rest? What is your brothers name? I bet you can swim. If not, i bet you float. Like a log. Do you have any sons?"

All of these questions are seemingly posed to his left hand, which she hasn't looked up from. She turns it this way and that as if looking for something. She hasn't even bothered waving down someone to bring them food.

The one thing she didn't mention is her Kelvic nature. It might not be a huge secret, and many people have watched her shift. But the one thing she has that he doesn't is another identity. If he does demand compensation for the theft, or has a motive not made clear when he invited her for a meal, he will never see Rhy again. Just a large black dog.